Tell me about the Dunlop 404

[davit]

My I/S came with a new D404 on the front about 3,000 miles ago and I cannot seem to warm up to it.  It rides harsh, is noisy, and on tar snakes, well let's just say I just about shat my pants a few times on otherwise nice hot sunny days.  Highway speed and parking lot maneuvers both, the tire simply lets go.

The only other front tire to give me such fits was a five year old E3 and I almost parked the bike (GL1200) after a near low side on a right hander with a little gravel.  I checked the date code and this 404 is about a year and a half old.

I did recently replace the rear with a Michelin Commander II, perhaps the tires are mismatched?  They are both bias. 

The 404 seems to be an extremely popular tire with good reviews.  Any thoughts?




























 

[Bone]

Get that tire off of your bike !

Send it to me please

I've been using the D404 front for 100k miles. Did you check the air pressure I run mine at 38lbs. Was running 20k a season last year only 14k. I'm getting older my riding may be calm compared to your style.

 I wouldn't run a tire I'm not comfortable with your call.

[davit]

Get that tire off of your bike !

Send it to me please

I've been using the D404 front for 100k miles. Did you check the air pressure I run mine at 38lbs. Was running 20k a season last year only 14k. I'm getting older my riding may be calm compared to your style.

 I wouldn't run a tire I'm not comfortable with your call.

Funny!  It may be hanging from the rafters soon though.

[davit]

Oh, 38 psi with Ride-On.  Before installing the Ride-On it rode so harsh I thought the forks were bad.  Perhaps it's out of round.

[Bone]

I haven't had any ill handling of any of the 404's.
Below is the mileage I got from the tires. The 13K one I changed early before a
cross country trip.

Tire Mileage

18129
16644
13256
14838
14430
14432

[vanagon40]

I've had mine (D404F 150/80-17) for almost 7,000 miles with no complaints.  That said, I am not a very aggressive rider.  I also believe the tire is very slightly out of round.

[0leman]

I have had two 404fs on my I/S.   Haven't noticed any difference in problem with tar snakes.  The previous tires also acted negatively when hitting the snakes.  The way the bike moves it feels like the rear tire that is moving around.

 I wish I could get the mileage out of the 404's that Bone gets.   I am happy with 10-12K out of these tires.  I run 36 psi in mine.

I believe the road surfaces play a big part in lower mileage.   I also see less mileage in CT than others are getting.

[Lyle Laun]

Life is far to short to ride 10,000+ miles on a tire you don't feel comfortable with. Try a Metzeler 888

[BF]

I know nothing of the 404.....just that it looks like a tractor tire.   

[davit]

I know nothing of the 404.....just that it looks like a tractor tire.   

Lol when mine was new it sounded like one too.